Lt. Paul Kaschuba of II./ZG26

[Lusekofte]

This photo was shows to me in a discussion on how close and effective a ME 410 could be attacking a bomber formation.

Well this was the last sight of it. This was a dead pilot as a result.

Messerschmitt Me 410 W.Nr. 10241 "Black 13" flown by Lt. Paul Kaschuba of II./ZG26 banks away after making his attack against B-17 "Lady Godiva", of the 388 BG, 562nd BS, B-17 flown by Lt. Manual Head. Photo taken by crewman Victor Labruno LAST SEEN DAMAGED DIVING AWAY: Upper turret gunner/engineer Eugene Crossin fired at the Me 410 and could see his tracers getting hits on the fighter. The Luftwaffe reported the Me 410 and pilot lost in combat, on May 12, 1944. Me 410 "BLACK 13" Lt. Paul Kaschuba's Me 410 was originally built as a Me 210 in August 1943. Aircraft was later rebuilt and modified as a Me 410 fighter. Armed with 1 x Flak 43, 3.7cm cannon. Kaschuba was assigned to Zerstorerstaffel/ Erprobungskommando 25, he flew 25 combat missions before being KIA... THE BIG SHOW: MAXIMUM EFFORT MAY 12, 1944 The USAAF launched 886 bombers and 980 fighters against synthetic fuel plants. in both Germany and Czechoslovakia. Synthetic production at Brux stopped while Leuna and Bohlen production reduced by 50%, Merseburg, Zeitz were also damaged. The Germans lost 25,000 tons of fuel, to feed their war machine... LUFTWAFFE RESPONSE: The Germans put up 470 fighters, 16 day fighter and 2 Zerstorer Gruppen, the largest number of aircraft to defend the fuel oil plants.